Angels to call up reliever David Carpenter from triple-A

NEW YORK — The Angels’ beleaguered bullpen will add right-hander David Carpenter, who is being called up from triple-A Salt Lake for this weekend’s series against the New York Yankees, but it was unclear Friday morning whether injured left-hander Scott Downs will go on the disabled list.

Carpenter, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound right-hander who was scheduled to fly from Salt Lake to New York on Thursday night, has a low-90-mph fastball with late movement that induces a lot of ground balls.

The 24-year-old had a 1.77 earned-run average in his first three professional seasons, jumping from Class-A Inland Empire to double-A Arkansas in 2011, and he did not allow a run in three innings of two appearances for Salt Lake this season.

The Angels bullpen failed to protect a two-run, seventh-inning lead in a 6-5 loss to Minnesota on Wednesday night, and it was roughed up for seven runs and 11 hits in a 10-9 loss to the Twins on Thursday, a game in which the Angels blew a six-run lead.

Downs, the team’s best reliever, suffered a badly bruised ankle on a play at first base in the seventh inning Thursday. X-rays were negative, but he is scheduled to undergo an MRI test Friday to determine whether there is ligament damage. There is a very good chance he will be placed on the disabled list.

The Angels also have brought triple-A starter Brad Mills to New York in case Downs goes on the DL. Mills could provide length in the bullpen.